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Penn State Law students compete in inaugural LL.M. moot competition

February 28, 2012

Penn State Law students compete in inaugural LL.M. moot competition

Two teams of Penn State Law students will compete in the first International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition specifically created for master of laws (LL.M.) students on March 9 and 10 in Washington, D.C. The competition, held at Washington College of Law, focuses on the study of international arbitration for the resolution of international business and investment disputes.

Most Penn State Law LL.M. students already are admitted to practice law in jurisdictions outside of the U.S. so they are not eligible to participate in most moot competitions. The LL.M. Moot will give students an opportunity to develop their arbitration skills in an environment similar to current International Commercial Arbitration.

Farid Abou Hassan, who is on one of the four-person teams, said he and his fellow participants signed on as soon as they found out about the competition. He added that, "Representing Penn State Law is a great honor and we are working day and night to make sure that we will live up to its high standard. Not only does Moot Court give us an insight into international commercial arbitration, but it also gives us an opportunity to argue, a passion all lawyers have, it helps us with the legal research and sharpens our editing, citing and writing skills, it builds up our resume and finally gives us real arbitration experience that will prove to be priceless."

"Our students will be facing tough competition,” said Professor William F. Fox, distinguished visiting professor of law, who has been coaching the teams. “But they have been practicing, are well-prepared, and will get a great deal from the experience regardless of the outcome,” he added. Schools fielding teams include: Georgetown, Berkeley, Stanford and Duke.